FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2013 *NEWS RELEASE* NEWS RELEASE * NEWS RELEASE * For more information contact: Matt Giljahn, Herb Gillen Agency, 614-488-2828, matt@herbgillen.com Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Adds Jet Team and Additional Performers Show Will Take Place As Scheduled October 19th & 20th FORT WORTH, TEXAS The Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Presented by Bell Helicopter announced today that the show will take place as scheduled on October 19th and 20th at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport and general admission will once again be free. The show announced that they have secured the Black Diamond Jet Team as well as 20 additional high profile performers. There had been some speculation that the show would be forced to cancel due to the cancellation of the United States Navy Blue Angels appearance. The Blue Angels complete 2013 season was cancelled by the Navy in early April due to the effects of the federal budget sequestration. We are ecstatic to have secured the Black Diamond Jet Team for this year's show, said Tom Harris, President of Alliance Air Services. "But they are just the tip of the iceberg. Classic military jets, historic warbirds, world-class aerobatic performers, realistic historical battle reenactments, cool interactive ground displays; we've got it all this year!"
"Bell Helicopter is proud to support the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show once again this year," said Robert Hastings, Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs for Bell Helicopter. "The Alliance team has put together a great program despite the federal budget challenges. Fort Worth has a long legacy and tradition in the aerospace and aviation industry, and this show is a great way for us to support that legacy and the community." We want to thank Bell Helicopter for sticking by us this year and for their steadfast support of aviation, said Harris. Having a great partner like Bell made our decision to have a show much easier. The Black Diamond Jet Team, based in Lakeland Florida is one of the only civilian jet demonstration teams in the world. Flying their three arctic camouflage -painted Aero L-39 Albatros jets, the Black Diamond Jet Team will fly in tight military formation and perform aerobatic maneuvers similar to those of military jet teams. In fact, when not flying air shows, the aircraft and pilots from Black Diamond are contracted by the United States government to serve as the "Aggressor Squadron", acting as adversaries during air combat training for U.S. military pilots. In addition to the jet team announcement today, the air show announced that this year's show will have the theme of "Honoring Our Past. Inspiring Our Future.", with a special emphasis on World War II. This will include hosting one of the largest WWII historical battle reenactments in the U.S. this year that will feature hundreds of authentic American and German reenactors along with tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery, aerial dogfights, and bomber runs. Many of the vehicles and equipment used in the battle reenactment will also be on static display at the show. The show also announced that they will have the War on the Pacific on display as they host the very popular TORA, TORA, TORA. TORA, TORA, TORA, is a moving historical
reenactment of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor featuring Japanese bombers and fighters mixed with an exciting pyrotechnics display. Other WWII performers will include the Liberty Jump Team that will demonstrate an Airborne jump in vintage WWII uniform as well as a large contingent of classic military aircraft from the Cavanaugh Museum. In keeping with the show's "Honoring Our Past. Inspiring Our Future." theme, the show will be hosting the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight featuring a P-47 Thunderbolt alongside a P-51 Mustang. Another fast moving classic military aircraft that will perform at this year s show is the MiG-17 flown by Randy Ball from Tyler, Texas. The Vietnam-era MiG-17 was a mainstay of the Soviet Air Force and other Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War. The Fort Worth Alliance Air Show will also have an unprecedented group of the world's most celebrated civilian aerobatic superstars headlined by National Aviation Hall of Famer Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle. The show will also feature Kevin Coleman, who is known as one of the most talented young aerobatic civilian aviators in the world today. Matt Chapman, who is an internationally-recognized aerobatics competitor and air show performer, and Dallas' own Jan Collmer will round out what will be a very strong civilian performer contingent. Bell Helicopter won t just be a presenting sponsor; they will also perform at this year s show. A Bell 429 helicopter will open the show with a demo. It won't just be the skies where the show will have fast movers this year. The Shockwave Jet Truck will be on hand and will reach speeds of more than 300 miles per hour as it shoots out flames and smoke. The show also announced the All-Veteran Parachute Team will perform a demonstration as well. This year s show will also place an emphasis on children and promoting aviation education with fun, interactive activities for kids and families. The show will be creating a
special area called "Aviation Adventures" that will feature hands-on aviation educational activities for kids of all ages, games, opportunities to meet aviation legends, and lots of fun stuff. The show also announced an enhanced Kidz' Zone fun area for this year's show. The show will have a strong static display area again this year and will include a new exhibit of business jet aircraft representative of the major manufacturers globally. "Our show has always focused on supporting our nation's military, and this year we really want to provide an opportunity for our fans to show their support and celebrate our freedom," said Harris. "We want to celebrate America and, in the midst of fiscal difficulty for our military, we want to remind people about the sacrifices our veterans have made for our country." In addition to the financial support that the show historically provides to the DFW USO and other organizations, this year the show will be providing a limited number of free special premium seats on the flightline each day reserved for active duty military and their guests and the show will be holding special events honoring Veterans throughout the weekend. "We want to encourage everyone in the Dallas-Fort Worth community to come out and help us celebrate our country's proud aviation history and show support for our military," said Harris. Although general admission for the show is free, there is a $20 fee per vehicle for parking. The show will be offering several premium seating options for every budget from flight deck seats to private chalets where spectators enjoy the most exclusive seating, private amenities and the best view of the show. Historically, the premium seating areas have sold out in advance. Tickets are on sale now at allianceairshow.com. Fans can also like the show on Facebook or follow it on Twitter to get updates on performer additions and ticket sales. The family-friendly Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Presented by Bell Helicopter has typically drawn 100,000 to the Alliance Airport and, according to an impact study conducted by
the International Council of Air Shows, had an economic impact of more than $5.4 million annually to the Dallas - Fort Worth community. The show has contributed more than $350,000 to charities like the USO DFW since 2006. Additional information is available online at www.allianceairshow.com. Photo Cutline 1: The Black Diamond Jet Team will headline the 2013 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Presented by Bell Helicopter. -###- The Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Presented by Bell Helicopter is held annually at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The airport is the centerpiece of AllianceTexas, a 17,000-acre, master-planned community that includes the Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Alliance Global Logistics Hub, Circle T Ranch, Heritage, Alliance Town Center, Saratoga, and Monterra Village. The mixed-use development is home to more than 330 companies which have built more than 32 million square feet and created more than 31,000 jobs. The 2013 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show will feature the Black Diamond Jet Team along with 20 world-class performers and will take to the skies October 19 and 20. The show's 2013 theme will be "Honoring Our Past. Inspiring Our Future.", with a special emphasis on World War II. The Fort Worth Alliance Airport is managed by Alliance Air Services, a subsidiary of Hillwood Properties, the developer of AllianceTexas.